LONDON — The British Government is considering providing direct military assistance to international troops fighting Islamist insurgents in Somalia.

Senior Foreign Office sources said discussions had taken place about providing help – including air reconnaissance or support – to African Union troops helping Somalia’s weak, American-backed, transitional government.

While the use of ground troops has been explicitly ruled out it is believed there could be some role for Britain following the successful Nato air operation in Libya. As well as air power, SAS and SBS units are stationed with the US-led Horn of Africa Task Force based in Djibouti.

The Somali government, which has been fighting insurgents known as al-Shabaab, has little influence outside the capital Mogadishu.

The number of peacekeeping troops in the country has increased significantly in recent months and British officials are examining how to extend their own influence further. “Certainly in the wake of Libya there are ongoing discussions about what assistance we might be able to provide in Somalia,” said one source. “At this stage, the areas we are looking at are equipment and money.”

Both the US and French have been actively involved in Somali military operations – the Americans carrying out drone strikes from the southern Ethiopian port of Arba Mich, while the French are ferrying in equipment. A French helicopter-gunship crashed at the southern port of Kismayo, while, it is claimed, providing supporting fire for Kenyans flushing out al-Shabaab positions.

A senior British officer said: “There is no appetite for boots on the ground but there are other options. Any military cost needs to be weighed against the costs of propping up a failed state which is being kept a failed state by this insurgency. Also, the African Union forces can’t be there forever, and there may be a role for the UK to train the forces of the TFG [Transitional Federal Government].”

Yesterday the International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell appeared to hint at a greater British involvement. Describing Somalia as a direct threat to the UK’s security because it is one of the “most dysfunctional countries in the world” he said: “It is a place from which emanates piracy, drug running, this weight of people trying to come to a more attractive economic shore.

“There are probably more British passport holders engaged in terrorist training in Somalia than in any other country in the world.”

MONROVIA (Reuters) - Thousands of youths rampaged through Liberia's capital Monrovia on Friday, smashing cars with stones in protest over late payment for "summer vacation jobs" they said they had done for the government.

Security forces fired teargas to disperse the protesters in various parts of the West African state's crumbling seaside city, where main thoroughfares including the road to the airport were blocked and jammed with trapped vehicles.

A Reuters witness said protesters were smashing car windows with rocks and tree branches, and said several United Nations and police vehicles were badly damaged. A protester threw a rock into the side of the Reuters vehicle.

Liberia's government has a summer work program for students, which includes manual jobs such as street cleaning. A government official was not immediately available to comment on the protests or whether payments had been made.

Tensions have been running high in Liberia since a presidential run-off election in November won by incumbent Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, but which her main opposition rival Winston Tubman has rejected as fraudulent.

Liberia is among the poorest countries in the world, and its infrastructure remains in ruins after years of civil war that ended in 2003.

Mr. Nelson Mandela, the Father of peace and freedom new 'Book of Quotations' is a very powerful book. Some Quotations dated back in the 1960 to 2000. The book was released by The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory early this year before his 93rd birthday.

"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others" Nelson Mandela.

The inspirational quotations are organised into over 300 categories for easy reference, including such aspects as what defines greatness in ‘Character’, ‘Courage’ and ‘Optimism’, while we learn from him the essence of democracy, freedom and struggle in the categories such as ‘Democracy’, ‘History’, ‘Racism’, ‘Reconciliation’ and ‘Unity’.

Some Selected quotations from the book

“If I had my time over I would do the same again, so would any man who dares call himself a man.”

— Nelson Mandela, November 1962

“It is in your hands to make of our world a better one for all.”

— Nelson Mandela, 25 June 2008

“Newspapers allow us to hold a mirror up to ourselves.”

— Nelson Mandela, 3 June 2007

“Take it upon yourself where you live to make people around you joyful and full of hope.”

— Nelson Mandela, 7 March 2002

“I approach every problem with optimism.”

— Nelson Mandela, 14 February 1990

“Success in politics demands that you must take your people into confidence about your views.”

— Nelson Mandela, 29 April 1993

“People will feel I see too much good in people. So it’s a criticism I have to put up with.”

— Nelson Mandela, 29 December 1992

“Without democracy there cannot be peace.”

— Nelson Mandela, 9 May 1992

“I came to accept that I have no right whatsoever to judge others in terms of my own customs.”

— Nelson Mandela, 1975

“Freedom cannot be achieved unless the women have been emancipated from all forms of oppression.”

— Nelson Mandela, 24 May 1994

“Without language, one cannot talk to people and understand them”

— Nelson Mandela, 1994

“Prison, far from breaking our spirits, made us more determined to continue with this battle.”

— Nelson Mandela, 10 March 1993

“In jail I had a lot of time to think about problems.”

— Nelson Mandela, March 1993

“Robust and honest exchange of opinions and criticism is necessary for any society.”

— Nelson Mandela, 6 September 1994

“I didn’t want to be presented in a way that omits the dark spots in my life.”

— Nelson Mandela, 16 March 1993

“We are fighting for a society where people will cease thinking in terms of colour.”

— Nelson Mandela, 8 March 1993

“The question of a non-racial society has always been the standpoint of the ANC.”

— Nelson Mandela, 28 April 1993

“The masses like to see somebody who is responsible and who speaks in a responsible manner.”

— Nelson Mandela, 3 February 1993

“A common touch is of immense advantage, especially on the part of a head of state.”

— Nelson Mandela, 2 February 1993

“A happy family life is an important pillar to any public man.”

— Nelson Mandela, 6 May 1979

“South Africa is a country of many races. There is room for all the various races in this country.”

— Nelson Mandela, 31 May 1961

“Let us all take responsibility for freeing our communities of crime and violence.”

— Nelson Mandela, 15 October 1994

“Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people.”

— Nelson Mandela, 25 April 1998

“I can only say that I felt morally obliged to do what I did.”

— Nelson Mandela, 20 April 1964

“Great anger and violence can never build a nation.”

— Nelson Mandela, 25 February 1990

“All South Africans should rededicate ourselves to turning this into the land of our dreams.”

— Nelson Mandela, 19 July 1998

“I prefer discussing matters with everyone on a basis of perfect equality.”

— Nelson Mandela, 28 July 1969

“It was difficult to concentrate on the negative aspect of your life.”

— Nelson Mandela, 11 February 1994

“Part of building a new nation means building a spirit of tolerance, love and respect amongst the people.”

— Nelson Mandela, 4 July 1997

“I can’t remember losing my sense of control.”

— Nelson Mandela, 14 February 1990

“Social equality is the only basis of human happiness.”

— Nelson Mandela, 1 August 1970

“When you are a public figure, you have to accept the integrity of other people.”

— Nelson Mandela, 3 May 1993

“The youth of South Africa made a crucial contribution to the struggle for liberation.”

— Nelson Mandela, 26 November 1995

“Our most valued treasure is our people, especially the youth.”

— Nelson Mandela, 20 February 1997

“South Africa is producing determined young people whose level of awareness is remarkably high.”

— Nelson Mandela, 8 July 1985

“The display of leadership by our youth today gives me a comfort that not all is lost.”

— Nelson Mandela, 9 July 2008

“Our children have borne the brunt of apartheid’s ravaging deprivation.”

— Nelson Mandela, 25 May 1996

“The fight against apartheid liberated all South Africans.”

— Nelson Mandela, 23 February 1996

“We have fought for peace and reconciliation, for social justice, for all men, women and children.”

— Nelson Mandela, 1 December 2004

“It is ordinary people – men and women, boys and girls – that make the world a special place.”

— Nelson Mandela, 9 July 2008

“The past is a rich resource on which we can draw in order to make decisions for the future.”

— Nelson Mandela, 25 February 1990

“We are in struggle because we value life and love all humanity.”

— Nelson Mandela, 2 July 1990

“Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success.”

— Nelson Mandela, 17 December 2009

“Our clean flowing rivers must be known by my grandchildren’s grandchildren.”

— Nelson Mandela, 16 November 2000

“In time, we must bestow on South Africa the greatest gift – a more humane society.”

— Nelson Mandela, 1 September 1997

“It would be an exaggeration to say I never become depressed.”

— Nelson Mandela, 1993

“There’s nothing as bad as a leader making a demand which you know can never succeed.”

— Nelson Mandela, December 1992

“Our love for children is undiminished.”

— Nelson Mandela, 1 December 2004

“My wish is that South Africans never give up on the belief in goodness.”

— Nelson Mandela, 10 May 2004

“The freedom we enjoy is a richly textured gift handcrafted by ordinary folk.”

— Nelson Mandela, 11 July 1996

“Will we be remembered as the generation that turned our backs in a moment of a global crisis?”

— Nelson Mandela, 11 June 2005

“When people are determined they can overcome anything.”

— Nelson Mandela,14 November 2006

“When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace.”

— Nelson Mandela, 1994

“We tried in our simple way to lead our life in a manner that may make a difference.”

— Nelson Mandela, 8 June 2002

“A critical, independent and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy.”

— Nelson Mandela, 14 February 1994

“I had no specific belief except that our cause was just, was very strong. ”

— Nelson Mandela, 11 February 1994

“I never think of the time I have lost. I just carry out a programme because it’s there.”

— Nelson Mandela, 3 May 1993

“Difficulties break some men but make others.”

— Nelson Mandela, 1 February 1975

“Many people in this country have paid the price before me and many will pay the price after me.”

— Nelson Mandela, November 1962

“The real meaning of the spoken word has to be demonstrated by practical deeds.”

— Nelson Mandela, 7 June 1990

“I have never regarded any man as my superior, either in my life outside or inside prison.”

— Nelson Mandela, 12 July 1976

“In the life of any individual, family, community or society, memory is of fundamental importance.”

— Nelson Mandela, 2005

“I accepted that if you have a problem, you must face it and not gloss over it.”

— Nelson Mandela, 29 December 1992

“I like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles.”

— Nelson Mandela, 1975

“The dream of every family is to be able to live together happily in a quiet and peaceful home.”

— Nelson Mandela, 1 June 1970

“You sharpen your ideas by reducing yourself to the level of the people you are with.”

— Nelson Mandela, 13 August 2005

“It is never my custom to use words lightly. If twenty-seven years in prison have done anything to us, it was to use the silence of solitude to make us understand how precious words are and how real speech is in its impact on the way people live and die.”

Thailand's Bangkok Post reported that the smuggled cocaine had a street value of £93,000 (4.5 million baht).

The newspaper reported: 'Authorities found something unusual about her dreadlocks.

'A search found traces of white substance which turned out to be cocaine.

'A total of 1.5kg of cocaine was found hidden in her hair.'

Nolubabalo was today being held in custody after being held at Bangkok's international Suvarnabhumi Airport as she disembarked a Qatar Airways flight which had come from Sao Paolo via Doha.Testing: Officials carried out a search and discovered she had allegedly matted the Class A drug into her dreadlocksThe evidence: Officials laid the cocaine matted dreadlocks on a table in Bangkok customs for testing.The Bangkok Post reported that the suspect had allegedly admitted trying to smuggle the drug and claimed she had done so after being hired to work as a drug mule by a Thailand-based businessman for £1,200 (60,000 baht).

Thailand has some of the toughest anti-drugs laws on the planet, with judges permitted to impose the death penalty for traffickers.

The South African's arrest follows the execution of another South African citizen this week for drug smuggling in China.

Janice Linden, 38, was killed by lethal injection on Monday after she was caught in November 2008 trying to smuggle 3kg of crystal meth into the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou.

South Africa's president Jacob Zuma appealed unsuccessfully to the Chinese government to commute the sentence before she was put to death in prison.Tough law: Thailand has some of the toughest anti-drugs laws on the planet, with judges permitted to impose the death penalty for traffickersDrug mule: The South African woman was only paid £1,200 to smuggle the cocaine, which had a street value of £93,000.

A video has been posted on Internet showing Pastor Oyedepo boasting about his deed of valor in the case of a girl he slapped in the face in the presence of his congregation. The "man of God" boasts that the girl returned later to beg for forgiveness.

Digital Journal recently reported that, "the flamboyant Nigerian megapastor David Oyedepo...caused international outrage after a video posted on the internet showed him assaulting a teenage girl during a 2009 Shiloh service at the headquarters of his church in Otta, Ogun state, southwest Nigeria."

According to Oyedepo in the newly posted video showing him boasting about his deed: “I slapped a witch here last year. She came back in February to apologize. She begged me to please forgive her.”

Oyedepo then went on to give spiritual advise to members of his congregation who may be under attack by the forces of evil: “Starting today, the things harassing you, you will start harassing them.”

Oyedepo's attitude to the self-evident fact of his misbehavior has been attributed by many of his critics to overweening spiritual pride and arrogance. His critics say his behavior may be explained by the fact that he looks upon himself as a "man of God," with spiritual right to assault anyone he declares a witch.

The website Freethinker.co.uk reports that a group called "Stop the Violence Against Women in Nigeria" has written a petition calling on the Ogun State government and the state Ministry of Justice and the Attorney General to commence formal investigation into Oyedepo's assault of the girl. According to Freethinker, the petition said:

"It appears as though the Bishop may have violated the Criminal Code Act (chapter 29 of Part V; sections 351 to 365) of the Nigerian constitution."

One of the petitioners Banji Oyebisi, based in the United States, said:

"Our objective is try and get at least 101,000 signatures that we will submit to Governor Amosun. We want to say we are tired of this kind of conduct, violence against women."

Freethinker also reports an insightful comment by Adebowale Oriku on Transparency for Nigeria blog:

"In spite of Oyedepo’s best efforts to label the poor girl a witch, the young [girl]insisted that she was not the kind of witch Oyedepo was insinuating and that she was a ‘witch for Jesus.' Of course it may be argued that Jesus does not have a group of followers that are called witches, but this was a girl that had been browbeaten and spat upon by a man who calls himself a bishop, a man who was mentally torturing a wretched religious captive into abasing herself enough to accept being described as a witch.The girl must have been desperately inventive, after a fashion, to come up with the ‘Witch for Jesus’ fallacy of definition, which I do not think is better or worse that the description of nuns as ‘Brides of Christ.'"